I took a two-day slow-boat down the Mekong from Huay Xay to Luang
Prabang. The boat was crowded with backpackers, locals, a rice
thresher, a motorbike, sacks of horns, chickens, and many many empty
bottles of Beerlao.

The close quarters were a good chance to make friends, but the
crowding also made people a bit territorial. I can see why they
choose not to sell beer on the boat.